[Math] A holomorphic function which has $|f(z)|>1$ for every $|z|=1$ and $|f(0)|<1$ has a fixed point inside the unit circle

complex-analysis

Edit: the answer suggested by @ShakedBader posted here works for this question as well. But I'm curious about the extra assumption here about $|f(0)|$. Does it allow to solve the question using Rouche's lemma?


Let $f$ be a holomorphic function on a domain which contains the unit circle.

We know that $|f(z)|>1$ for every $|z|=1$, and that $|f(0)|<1$. Show that there exists a point $a\in \mathbb C$, such that $|a|<1$ and $f(a)=a$.

I see that due to continuity, we can find a path in the unit circle which circles zero, and where $|f(z)|=1$ hold for each $z$. But I'm not sure how to proceed. Any clues?

Best Answer

The condition that $|f(0)|<1$ while $|f(z)|>1$ on the unit circle allows you to conclude by continuity on the closed unit disk that $|f(z)|$ must have a local minimum in the open unit disk. This minimum must be $0$, or else you would derive a contradiction from the maximum modulus theorem applied to $\dfrac1f$. Thus, you know that $f$ has a zero inside the disk.

You can combine this with hjr's suggestion to use Rouché's theorem.

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